The 2025 BCI (Fengyan, China) Stone Appreciation Exhibition and 3rd Anhui Province Fine Penjing Invitational Exhibition is being held on April 24-25, 2025 in Fengyan, China. Having been credited with the concept of training dwarfed potted trees, China introduced the art to the world. The Japanese quickly adapted this art form and developed the art of bonsai using Japanese aesthetics and taste.
For the past several decades, China has once again, introduced their art of penjing to the world and are serious to expand its artistry and understanding. There have been quite a few penjing exhibitions and conventions. There are a lot of people in China and their exhibitions and conventions tend to draw huge crowds on the first day. The opening day is tomorrow and there were over 550 people at the welcome dinner this evening.
I was one of the two foreign invited judges and demonstrators. China is a long distance from Rochester, New York, and took over 30 hours for me and my “supervisor” to safely travel to China, then drive another three hours to the large modern hotel.
There are over 250 huge bonsai in the outdoor exhibition, plus a few smaller and shohin size beautiful treasures. Most of the trees needed to be moved by fork lift trucks because of the size and weight. Judging bonsai in China is serious business. There were a total of 16 judges from China and Mike Siow (Malaysia) and me.
We were allotted three hours to judge each tree. Points were given, with a minimum of 65 to a maximum of 98. There were 29 pages of judging forms and each judge needed to sign each page.
More details and photos tomorrow, I’m tired now and must be ready for my demonstration at 7:30 am.
Advanced Open Workshops are now beginning at the International Bonsai Arboretum, Rochester, New York, conducted by William N. Valavanis. The Introductory Bonsai Course will soon begin on the four Monday evenings in April.
Today we were busy and used a Sawzall, miniature chain saw, drill and chisels, That’s in addition to the traditional bonsai tools. I would like to share some interesting photos with you from today. Unfortunately, time does not allow me time to fully explain in detail what we were doing now, must prepare for another session in 12 hours.
After designing and setting up the main bonsai alcove (using a spring theme,) to welcome the students with a spring theme I made coffee to help them awaken to our world of bonsai in my studio.
Oto Hime Japanese maple display and thinning out extra buds. This bonsai, like many of my creations can be enjoyed from two sides, Fortunately the surface root display is great on both. I find this two-sided bonsai comes in very handy when setting up a bonsai display.
One student brought in a Trident maple forest, in addition to extra trees. Last year he got lucky and was able to obtain a very shallow container for a forest. It is dangerously shallow, and the trees need to be carefully selected. Several years ago, I got a similar container, even more shallow and have been lucky, with Diane and dedicated assistants to keep it still alive. The new Trident maple forest is not finished and needs quite a few adjustments to refine the composition.
For the past month or so, from early February my assistants got quite a few bonsai transplanted. Broken containers were repaired. A large Hawthorne was transplanted. It had a large, thick straight surface root we wanted to split in half. After considerable time, we decided to just remove the entire root to better balance the surface roots.
A maple was transplanted, and it was difficult to remove from the container because of the incurving side walls. After using a bonsai cycle, we got out my German miniature chain saw and the entire root mass was released.
Of course, this is the season for our annual “dancing with the bonsai.” Young opening buds on deciduous trees must be in the full sun to maintain the small leaves and delicate twigs which have developed over 30 to 40 years ago.
So, the bonsai are taken out of the garage during the day and brought back in when the temperature is forecast to become cold. We had lots of bonsai sunning and the weather forecast was for below 30F on Sunday. My assistants come on Saturday so it would not take much effort for one person to move them. Outside on the driveway was a beautiful, colorful bonsai display. However, Diane heard an updated forecast, and the low temperature was to be around 30F. No help was around so Diane moved everything back into the garage for protection. I assisted and directed. It really hurts when you spend decades refining a tree, then let it be damaged during a cold spell. It was getting dark, and light rain was falling, but she did it, mostly alone, I’m very blessed to have a loving wife who supports my efforts to improve and refine the bonsai community. They don’t teach this in the books, you must experience it yourself. By the way, the low temperature last night at 4 am was 28F. The tender new buds and opening leaves would have severely damaged, not necessarily killed. But definitely not be up to my standards to display this year.
Other techniques were also used to air layer the top off a Cork-bark Chinese elm to improve the main trunk line.
We also thread grafted a new shoot which was allowed to lengthen to be inserted through the trunk to add a needed branch in the ideal location. Rough bark Japanese maples do not bud back on old plated bark.
We all had fun, enjoyed each other’s company, learned a few techniques while improving and refining our bonsai. AND, we get to do this again tomorrow and every Friday and Saturday through the spring season.
This year, like many others, the exhibition was held in two parts. Part 1 February 8-11, and Part 2 February 13-16, 2025. On Wednesday all the bonsai were replaced with fresh masterpieces so another 200 trees could be enjoyed. Yes, I know both the English and Japanese guides say 154. However, those are the exhibit areas, not the number of individual bonsai. Many of the shohin bonsai compositions displayed six or more trees and the medium size bonsai were usually two and sometimes three individual trees.
Unfortunately, I fell and broke my left kneecap and not stand or walk, so I had to return home after ONLY one day in Japan. Therefore I missed the entire Part 2 and the Suiseki Exhibition. Fortunately my good friend, Julian Adams from Lynchburg, Virginia, took the time to photograph each one of the 154 bonsai displays. He did a superb job with the photos and allowed me to share them with you. If you happen to see Julian, please thank him for his generosity.
The 99th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition is being held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan. It is considered to be the world’s finest bonsai exhibition. Part1 is being held on February 8-11, 2025, while Part 2 runs from February 13-16, 2025. On Wednesday, February 12 the exhibition is closed to the public while every bonsai is replaced with fresh trees, it is actually another new exhibition.
This is the 99th exhibition, next year will highlight the 100th exhibition. The first exhibition was held in March 1934 (91 years ago, not 100 years) twice each year in late winter and autumn. The exhibition held this twice yearly schedule from 1934 to 1944, then cancelled during the war. It began again in 1947 until present. Most were yearly, but there was one exhibition held in two a few years later. It has been held yearly in February until 1988 when the exhibition was held in two parts. There was only one part in 2022 (covid?) When the museum was resigned, to make it handicap accessible fewer trees could be displayed. Now the exhibition is held in two parts so more bonsai can be displayed.
Part 2 of the longest running bonsai exhibition will be held on February 13-136, the same time as the Nippon Suiseki Exhibition, also in the same building on the fourth floor.
A Few Personal Observations on Part 1:
The backgrounds and lighting were improved a few years ago and continues to highlight each bonsai. A couple of years ago the restriction of photos was eliminated. Probably the extensive use of small mobile phones with cameras had an influence.
This year it seemed as though there was a larger number of junipers and pines compared with deciduous species. Like in past exhibitions there were fewer rock plantings and forests but more literati style bonsai displayed. The Japanese flowering apricot bonsai were well represented, and in blossom too. There was a good representation of Zuisho Japanese five-needle pine bonsai.
Five Kokufu Prizes were awarded to outstanding bonsai and I believe only the second time a shohin bonsai composition received one of these prestigious awards. Masterpieces shown.There were 13 Important Bonsai As always all the bonsai were beautiful and simply displayed to allow their beauty to shine.
WARNING, this entry is not about bonsai, but rather saga of my trip. So please feel free to skip this entry.
My first trip to Japan was in 1970. Since then I’ve had over 100 trips to Japan which were wonderful but not quite as exciting as this trip. Julian Adams joined me for a relaxing eight-day visit to the 99th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition with a free schedule to visit the show and take a shuttle bus to the Ueno Green Club, the three-story building full of bonsai and even in the parking lot around the building is full of vendors. Since I’ve had a “tenancy” to fall down Diane will not let me go to Japan alone anymore, because it’s dangerous. Actually, she did not want me to go, even with my friend Julian.
I should have listened to her….
On the first morning, we took a taxi to the museum where the exhibition is held. I’ve been using a walking cane for some time now to help prevent falls. It did not work this time. Just as we were turning the entrance way to the museum I lost my balance and took out a few azaleas in a hedge. Julian could not lift me by himself and it took three strong men to lift me, then I immediately dropped again and again. I was not able to walk or stand alone. My saviors went into the museum and got me a wheelchair. Julian pushed me around the entire exhibition until 11:30 when we went upstairs for lunch. When I was nearly finished I had a few chest pains and got nauseated. Julian found a large trash can, but fortunately quieted down and we left. Even with a pacemaker and defibrillaodefri I still must be careful. Julian thought I might be having a heart attack and was quite concerned. Dying at Kokufu ten certainly have been eventful.
After lunch, we went downstairs to finish studying the small and shohin compositions. Then we started off to the Ueno Green Club for shopping, and reality kicked in. How am I to get to the shuttle bus, since I can’t stand? We decided to “borrow” one of the museum’s wheelchairs and return it tomorrow. WE quickly walked and wheeled out of the museum until a security cop caught and detained us. I tried to talk my way into them allow me to rent the wheelchair. The security cop, naturally had to call his boss. Not speaking English, we just stood around looking at each other until the museum director who spoke English arrived and we had more discussions. I was allowed to use the wheelchair on museum property but could not rent it or remove it.
So, I asked the three officers, what to do now. Finally, they took me away, (I thought to a Japanese prison,) a first floor exit and several more museum personal joined to question us. I was very fortunate to have my long-time friend Makiko Kobayashi, who had lived in the US and translates and writes bonsai articles in English translating for all of us. I probably would have ended up in Japanese prison without Makio’s assistance.
I said how about an ambulance to take me a hospital and then I thought rent a wheelchair. After a 30 minute discussion, the EMTs and driver and hospital the tried to find one which could help and accept me, during this holiday when most people are off their jobs. I was warned, several times, that if I must spend the night in the hospital, one of Tokyo finest. The daily charge would be about US $7,000 per night. At this point I’m not certain my Medicare or supplemental insurance would cover it.
After a 20 minute fast moving ambulance ride, complete with sirens, we arrived at very nice and clean hospital emergency room. They instantly checked my name and birthdate and put me a curtained area. My nurse suddenly appeared to help me. The chief doctor in the ER came to introduce himself and we chatted. He took blood samples while I was attached to an EKG, and having tubes shoved up my arms. All the nurses and doctors spoke English, and they all appeared to be than 40 years old. I have been in an emergency room “a few times” with waits from four hours to over eight before someone looked at me.
Following the testing the doctor ordered x-rays of my left knee. It was a very short time before they returned with the news that my left knee cap was fractured. They warned me to keep weight off my left leg because the fracture might travel and need surgery. They provided me with a leg brace, the X-rays, crutches, directions and prescriptions for pain relief. A special ambulance taxi to take us all, Julian, Makiko and her husband, who came bearing sandwiches to our hotel. The ambulance taxi was large and they transferred me into a comfortable chair like a Lazy Boy rocker.
We arrive at the hotel which only has an escalator which goes down not up. There was a steep staircase next to the escalator, and that went both up and down. The receptionist came and change the direction of the escalator. I hobbled to the escalator and held onto both moving handrails. There was one person in front and one in back in case I would fall.
I was so tired, and in some pain, I decided to return home today, on Monday rather than next Sunday. I did not want to miss part 2 of the exhibition and the suiseki exhibition as well, a most difficult decision to make. United Airlines wanted to charge me $500 for the date change. So, I told the customer representative that is ridiculous! This is a medical emergency change plus I’m a member of the Million Mile Club and have gold status for life.
I got home with no problem and pain. Got lucky both my flights were not full so had an entire row to keep my leg straight. One suitcase and I arrived on time, while the other suitcase arrived the next day.
Reflecting back, I did not purchase ANYTHING in Japan (a first) that was not consumable. Although I did have a taxi ride and three ambulance taxi rides to pay for.
My next blog entry on BONSAI will be coming soon because Diane will not let me off the sofa with my leg straight.
My next blog entry on BONSAI will be coming soon because Diane will not let me off the sofa with my leg straight.
Thank you for your interest for the 2023 8thUS National Bonsai Exhibition Commemorative Album. I appreciate your order and support!
The album was STILL in production, I got delayed because all the exhibitors did NOT complete their Bonsai Data Forms. So I had to chase down and contact most of the exhibitors to get the correct information on their bonsai. This is in addition to a few medical issues delayed the album.
Right now I just finished the album. It was proofread by five different people and corrected. At the last minute Joe Noga again reviewed his beautiful bonsai photos and decided they were not quite up to his standards. They looked fine to me. So, Joe just adjusted over 200 photos and proofed them to make certain our printer in China can match his high color standards. Joe uses the same paper and ink (10 different color cartridges) for his proofs as the press uses to print the album so they match.
It’s now ready to send it to our printer. Once our printer receives the album it will take 2-3 months to get the album quality printed in China and hope they do not use a slow boat.
I’m certain you will find the album up to the same high standards you have enjoyed in my past ten books, 142 issues of International BONSAI and albums. Most people will quickly forget the unusually long wait once you have the exquisite album in your hands.
I’m very sorry about this unexpected but necessary delay, but I’m doing the best job I can and have an idea how to correct the problem for the 2025 9th US National Bonsai Exhibition which will be held on September 13-14, 2025.
Thank you for your order, patience and understanding as I continue to produce fine quality educational bonsai reference books, programs and displays for the world-wide bonsai community.
The 94th Meifu Bonsai Exhibition was held on January 10-12, 2025 in Nagoya, Japan. This is one of the largest and most important bonsai exhibitions. Also, it is the second longest in duration than the 99th KokuFu Bonsai Exhibition. Next February in 2026 will be the 100th anniversary of this most prestigious bonsai exhibition. It was started by Count Yorinaga Matsudaira and Tosho Kobayashi to raise the level of bonsai and increase awareness. Next year is the 100thexhibition, but the show has not been around for 100 years. Originally the exhibition was held twice a year in March-April and in November-December yearly from 19434 to 1954. There were no exhibitions during the wartimes.
In 1960 the Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition began yearly in February. Every ten years a double show was produced beginning in 1986 and it still continues.
The Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition mean “National” For years most of the bonsai came from one of the four main islands. But Tropical Okinawa is also part of Japan. Fuzaso Takeyama began teaching in Okinawa and now his son Hiroshi continues. Several y teaching in Okiears ago suddenly tropical species were represented in the exhibition, and I believe the tradition changed when the two Takeyama began teaching in Okinawa.
The Meifu Bonsai Exhibition mainly features bonsai grown and trained in the Aichi Prefecture region. This is a very fertile area for bonsai with the Suzuki family, Yasuo Mitsuya and Akira Kato leading the bonsai moement.
There are many Japanese black pine grown in this region so lots are represented. This year 65 bonsai were shown and there is always at least one special exhibit. Having this exhibition on the same days as the Gafu Shohin Exhibition makes it very convenient for foreigners since Nagoya is only a short 40-minute bullet train ride. There is also another excellent exhibition, in Okayama, but smaller which is held only one day a year, on the Saturday of the other two exhibitions.
The Meifu Bonsai Exhibition featured 65 trees. The bonsai were not crowded, pleanty of breathing room between displays so visitors can enjoy the aesthetic impact of each beautiful bonsai. One of the highlights I like is the excellent overhead even lighting and the white backgrounds.
I really like this exhibition and will try to attend their 100th anniversary in six years
The Gafu Shohin Bonsai Exhibition was held in the same venue and exhibition hall as the Taikan Ten Bonsai Exhibition only six week ago. Even though both exhibitions were similar and had most of the same vendors. Both were sponsored by different organizations and had most of the same people running the show, so most were familiar faces to me.
But, I personally had different feelings for both exhibitions although the foreign visitors were warmly welcomed. The security for this year’s exhibition was very evident with several security men walking around, carefully watching the visitors. There was a simple unobtrusive white wooden barrier around all the displays. ALL the doors in the entire huge exhibition center were locked, I checked them all and my favorite entrance was locked too. Even the many vendors were not allowed into the exhibition until about 40 minutes before the opening ceremony and ribbon cutting. After putting on, the white gloves I dropped golden official scissors on to the red carpet. But the owner of Kinbon publication, next to me picked them up for me. I did not fall during the three-day exhibition and another show in Nagoya. However, the tour is not over yet, tomorrow we will visit and go container shopping in Tokoname. During the past ten years or so I annually walk about 5-6 miles per day for the three-day November exhibition, and now the three-day Gafu Ten exhibition. I’m “usually” using my cane with an Apple Air Tag so it does not get lost when I accidently put it down.
Judging for the Gafu ten Shohin Bonsai Exhibition was held on Thursday. I’m not one of the judges for this exhibition, but did get permission and a special name tag to watch the judging. The entire display area was closed to the public and I watched guards turning people away. Good thing I had permission. The process is very complicated and I was surprised how the judging took place. There were over 130 display areas containing over 677 individual specimens. I was completely surprised that each bonsai is not evaluated! On each voting ballot, there are only three categories, each worth 10 points. 1 Tree quality. 2 Container value and suitability. 3 Overall composition of the display composition. It seems as though equal emphases is placed on the container and how they are arranged. Ballot image below.
Now for the size categories, mini-bonsai 7cm, mini-bonsai 10cm, Shohin bonsai 20cm. I have not seen or heard the word Mame Bonsai for several years.
Perhaps the increased security is to avoid theft of these tiny treasures. I got lucky photographing the trees and displays which interested me. After judging, every one of the 677 trees were removed and baptized in water until the bubbles stopped. Every display area had a blue piece of plastic and newspaper for allowing the trees to drain. When I arrived on Saturday morning every bonsai was on the draining matt. But they were quickly put back on display before the official opening. By the way, a few years ago I was told that each exhibition has different size categories. There were two different container contests and displays. The first display featured registered important masterpiece containers, which were not judged, but put behind glass. Tim Priest had one of his exquisite containers accepted for display for the sixth time.
There was also a new container contest, with several entries from foreign countries. I recognized Gayle Fiato and Pitoon Ekarintaragun, both from New York state.
This was an excellent and special exhibition of shohin bonsai. I got brain freeze, all the trees and compositions began to look alike. When that happens to me I simply walk into the sales area to make purchases. Then I return back to the exhibition to continue my studies. I always see something I missed….
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